Update from Boston!

Alright people, I heard your calls, I'm here now! :D

I'm still really really tired... must be grateful ok :P

Firstly, fall weather is extremely nice. Clear autumn skies, cool/slightly chilly in the morning and night, sunny and breezy during the day. Almost perfect. But will be getting cold soon!

Random thought #1: How come the sky here is so clear when there are SO MANY cars?

My school is really ulu. It's like sub-urban, and Boston's a pretty old city so the T system (something like subway) is also ridiculously old. The trains are really old, and even though they are trains, they only have a few compartments. The T station near the school is completely open space, cause the T runs on tracks with connecting wires above them on normal roads (stopping at red lights as well) and also underground. The underground stations are no better though, no air-con and terrible terrible walls! I'm not kidding! Was quite shocked actually, but to give them credit the new stations are pretty alright. Still nothing compared to Singapore, HK or even Taiwan and Shanghai. Yeah I know it's a little too late to be appreciative :P

Ok I sound like a total brat but I swear all of that is true! If only I have a car lah, then I won't have these problems with the T. You hardly see people around on the streets except at downtown.

On the other side, my room is alright. It's something like joanne loh's, but with lousier shades and walls. The walls are not flat. At all. I don't have a room-mate so I have to get my own fridge, TV, fan and stuff but on the bright side I'm really glad I don't have to 'entertain' or socialize with a room-mate. I would go crazy.

Orientation was really energy-sapping cause they take up whole days and they also include brain-washing. Lots of it. And socializing is really exhausting too. Have to keep introducing yourself (repeating my name more than a few times cause people can never get it right the first time), keep smiling, keep yourself awake and pretending not to have a cultural shock. Ok it's not to the extent of cultural shock but honestly? Most of the people here talk way too much. Some people are like energizer rabbits. I don't understand how they can talk so much... It's not that they're not nice or unfriendly but it's just really exhausting for me.

That being said, I really miss you people! Who will I complain about my sucky schedule with (8 and 9 morning classes?!) when people here seem optimistic and cheerful about everything? Who can I chat with without cracking my brain for things to say or feeling awkward or tired? Who will offer me hugs when I need them and still feel comfortable with even without talking? >_<

No one. For now.

I don't remember feeling like this when I joined SSIS leh... I guess being in college and having different classes and schedules make it harder for people to really bond. I'm hoping I'll meet more people when I join school groups and events and stuff.

I was in Orientation 7 so the group was actually quite diverse. There were people from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Turkey, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Canada, France... Haven't met anyone from Singapore yet! If Orientation 1-6 had the same demographics then it'd be a lot nicer but as you may have guessed Orientation 1-6 is 99% Americans! Which means that there aren't many asians at all! Joanne Loh and Brandon you guys should feel really lucky! :P

Random Thought #2: A lot of people here are left-handed! Does this explain why they talk so much? :P

Oh. Forgot to mention that since I live on Upper Campus, I have to walk down a lot of stairs when I go to the main campus (Middle Campus and Lower Campus) and climb up again when I go back to my dorm. So, I think I'll get my fair share of exercise. I may not even need to go to the Flynn Recreation Complex after all! But the facilities are pretty darn nice, indoor pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, squash courts, spa, gym, hockey rink... Yeah, you can tell that US schools really take sports seriously. I've met people who've gotten sports scholarships for water polo, football, lacrosse, tennis and such. Which makes me feel a bit useless lah :P

I'd love to show you guys photos but not yet k? I'll most likely update them on facebook first, then later at the blog, wait for them :P

It's hard to describe how I feel now. I guess I'm looking forward to starting classes. It feels lonely when I walk into my room alone and close the door behind me. I don't know how many true friends I'll make during college years but I'll try.

It seems like the faculty and deans are really nice and supportive though. Being a Catholic university with Jesuit tradition, there're churches and Fathers in school. But the Fathers are really humorous and nice! I'll never see Fathers the same way again XD

Random thought #3: How come you can't drink in college below 21 but you can smoke?

The whole campus is overall really nice, although I haven't check out the Newton Campus yet and is in a love-hate relationship with all the stairs. At least I don't have to wait for the shuttle bus from Newton to the main campus, imagine that during winter! +_+

Did some sight-seeing today, Harvard Square, Freedom Trial, Chinatown, Downtown and some dock etc. Bought 2 cups for a dollar each at a garage sale at Harvard :P

Random thought #4: How come there're only Harvard shirts for sale and none of MIT? o_O

Oh okay, maybe I know the answer to that, cause I didn't really go vist MIT, hehe. But I really didn't see any MIT stuff lah! I need to get myself some BC pullovers too, school spirit! :D

School mottos:

'Strive to Excel' (sounds familiar? :D)

'Men and Women for Others'

Some brain-washing quotes from Orientation:

'The Enemy of Great is Good.'

'Smart people can make stupid mistakes.'

'Most of you are probably thinking that you are the sole mistake of the admission officers, you're not.'

Stuff like that lah... Can't remember now. When you try to squeeze in too many things into a few days hardly anything sinks in.

Oh I should write something about my course selection. Ok, so everyone in Orientation sits down in front of a computer each at the same time and search for courses through a program to see if they're still open. Most of them are not, cause we're session 7. It was really stressful, I swore I typed in like codes of 9 classes and all of them were closed! It's really nerve-wrecking...

So I've got 5 courses for the semester + 1 courses that ends by thanks-giving. I'm not very happy about them lah... the timetable is really screwed up. There's a drop-add period till sept 10 so I'm going to try and change the courses! Will show you guys my schedule when it's all finalized! :P

Okay, this is like waay too long! Just one more note, don't find me irritating if I start saying "you know", "that's awesome!", "it's amazing!", "omg really? that's so cool!", "it's sooo gooood!" and stuff like that a lot, if you know what I mean :P

Delayed

Airline Flight Departure Arrival

United Flight 836
Not Departed
More details Shanghai, China (PVG)
Mon, Aug 25
Scheduled: 3:55 PM
Estimated: 7:50 PM
Reason: --
Gate: --

Chicago, IL (ORD)
Mon, Aug 25
Scheduled: 4:16 PM
Estimated: 7:51 PM
Reason: --
Gate: --
Baggage claim: --

Delayed 4 hours plus! Can't take the connecting flight = = Have to stay a night in Chicago...

Big joke.

Surreal.

Just came back from a lunch gathering with relatives as a farewell thing.

Went out yesterday with the people still in shanghai, it was nice. Thanks! (:

There is no revelation yet. Wonder if there ever will be.

I don't feel anything leh, how?

手放开

我把自己关起来只留下一个阳台
每当天黑推开城门对着夜幕发呆
看着往事
一幕一幕
再次演出你我的爱
我把电视机打开听着别人的对白
也许那些故事可以给我一个交代
你要的爱
我学不来
眼睁睁看情变坏
眼睁睁看情感慨
不能给你未来
我还你现在
安静结束也是另一种对待
当眼泪留下来
伤已悄在
分开也是另一种明白
我给你
最后的疼爱是手放开
不要一张双人床中间隔着一片海
感情的污点就留给时间慢慢漂白
把爱收进胸前左边口袋
最后的疼爱是手放开
不想用言语拉扯所以选择不责怪
感情就像候车月台
有人走就有人来
我的心是一个站牌
写着等待
我把收音机打开听着别人的失败
哽咽的声音仿佛诉说着相同悲哀
你的依赖
还在胸怀
我无法轻易推开
我无法随便走开
感情中专心的人容易被伤害

to a certain someone: 你想开了吗？放开了吗？

Jodi Picoult's endings!!

I FINISHED SALMEN FALLS LAST NIGHT!

Lost a lot of sleep over it! THE LAST PAGE! WTH.

Should have seen it coming but arrghhhhh. what on earth was that?!

Has anyone else read that book??

OMG. The Last page is totally mind-blowing disturbing.

DISTURBING.

= =

Just wanted to share a poem

*

To Electra

by Robert Herrick

I dare not ask to kiss,
I dare not beg a smile,
Lest having that, or this,
I might grow proud the while.

No, no, the utmost share
Of my desire shall be
Only to kiss the air
That lately kissèd thee.



How romantic is that? (:

I need a bit more time

To finish reading the books I've always wanted to read but never got the time to.

To play the piano pieces I like but have been too lazy to start on them.

To accept the fact that I'm going to be a college student.

To learn how to live by myself and manage my expenses.

But there's no time left.

I just realized that I won't get to eat 大闸蟹 for the next 5-6 years! Hahaha, I know that completely ruins the serious tone of this entry. It's just a random thought that came to me just now... But it's making me think about whether I'm really prepared.

I got freaked out after reading yali's music report thingy and read his blog entries about the stuff he learnt in psy class. I think I've forgotten how to be a student! What if I don't understand the lectures and fail the tests? What if I can't maintain a good GPA? What if I really worked hard but is still too dumb to get good grades?

Okay whatever. 'What if' questions suck.

So apparently the school will be sending us our IB Diploma certificates soon, then what the hell is going on with our english papers that were supposed to be re-marked?! Why are they so slow?! WHY!?

I know I know, IB's not important anymore. But I'm kan cheong about it cause if they lift my grade then I don't need to take my literature course! Not that I hate literature or something but it'd be a great burden off my shoulder.

The thing is the college gives IB HL course 6 units for 6/7, but they give British A Levels 6 units for A/B, 3 units for C! British A Levels! Not even Singapore A Levels leh!! They make it seem like IB students have a much easier life than A Levels students. Why can't they give me 3 units for a 5 in HL too?! XD

Aiya. The unfairness of life.

Boo.

Completely random

我突然好想吃猪血糕和米肠!!! ):

Completely random. XD

People should read xiaxue's latest entry... hopefully these kind of drama don't happen around us. Think before you speak. Keep to your promises. Don't try to test another person's limit by stepping over the line, don't expect people to forgive you.

That wasn't referring to anyone by the way, it's sort of a reminder to myself as well.

Oh and I want to thank all of you guys who visited my blog/left a msg! (: All the best, whatever you do! Take care! <3

Caught my own 100 :P

Going to read: Salem Falls By Jodi Picoult

Finished the Mitch Albom book! It's quite... wow, intense... in the nice way lah, finished it in one night :P I like how Mitch Albom's books are about family love, seldom get to read books like that nowadays. It's short and sweet, enriching too, go read if you get the chance (:

Sleeping too late these days cause of late night reading... hehe, it's hard to stop when you have a nice book in your hands. Still have about 10 english books or so I haven't read yet... Don't think I can finish them before I leave, but trying to.

Btw... 抹茶 smells really nice leh! Bought one packet from a 10yuan japanese shop in HK. Are there similar shops in Boston? Hahaha ok, I'm probably dreaming.

I'm quite worried about my courses leh, also doing 5 a semester but I haven't even met my advisor yet! Other people are asking about textbooks already... ): The textbooks damn ex... The school gives codes for the texts to purchase from their bookstore so can't even buy them from amazon or something. Evil. Hopefully I don't need textbooks lah!! >_<

Wow... I'm leaving in about 6 days!! Single digit already.

Yeah, pointless entry, whatever :P

Currently reading: For One More Day By Mitch Albom

Actually, haven't really started yet lah :P

Finished 'The Rescue' though, happy ending as expected but with a small twist! Somehow reading Nicholas Sparks' books make me feel like there is a special someone, so called 'the right person' in life. Or maybe he/she is just the person who appeared in life at the right moment? I don't know. Does it feel nice to think that someone is planned to appear? A little, I guess. A least it makes waiting more worthwhile?

I think I'm not someone who'd tempt with fate. I lack the courage, and I don't have the energy to keep up the fight. Somehow when I try to fight against fate it feels more like I'm fighting against myself.

But what if?

Such cruel words, 'what if's and 'it could have been's...

I should stop questioning my own decisions. The only way to go is forward. No matter how much we want to, we just can't go back anymore. Well, I don't think I have any regrets in life so far. That's good, keep it up.

To digress a little, Liu Xiang pulled out of the 110m hurdles race! So saddening... omg, it's olympics. 4 years. You wait 4 years and you've been fantastic but you just can't run on that day. Just try to imagine... heart-breaking! ):

Packing

It's ridiculous how much stuff I have man!! Packing is such a pain in the arse... If I want to bring my room with me I need at least... 5/6 suitcases?! I can only take 2! How!?

Aiya... Can't bring this, can't bring that, can't bring this either!! Oh no!! ):

Because dorms only provide the basic furnitures, I have to bring my blanket, bed linens, bed spread, pillow, towels, alarm clock, toiletry, hangers, hair dryer, flashlight etc etc, plus dictionary and thesaurus!! what the!! Somemore Boston gets bloody cold so have to bring almost all my winter wear and of course I need my summer clothes too right... And not to forget I'm going for college so I need to bring stationery, notebooks, files and other stuff related to my studies blah blah... Ridiculous!! x__x

Parents are helping me out with the packing and all but it's still really tough... Sigh... After quite literally flipping my room around, I discovered things that I didn't know I had! Like my tiny phonebook that I used in singapore, letters, bday cards, medals, autograph books etc etc. Brought back a lot of memories!! Lots of sentimental stuff. Unfortunately most of the sentimental things are 'unpractical'...

Imagine, 18 years and I already have so many things! Not to forget some other stuff still in singapore! Wow... I should feel really really fortunate yeah!

Hmm... I wonder how my dorm room looks like. Some people can't fall asleep if they're in a new environment, I'm not worried about that, but it's still really sad to leave my room! Cause it has always been a comfort zone. But I think I'll like BC, the campus looks nice (: It's not a party school so I need to pull up my socks too... A bit stressed actually, but it's a new start! Hopefully a good start too.

It's going to be a really really big step. I don't feel completely prepared but that's alright, we'll all be fine. (:

On a side note, congratulations to Singapore Table Tennis Girls team for winning the silver medal! So proud of you Singapore! <3


Some pictures of Boston College (:

















The last picture is for you, Michelle... XD I feel cold just looking at it!

下雨天

Added music to the blog... think the loading takes a while, but can't be bothered to change XD

Really really like this song... 听到想哭。

算了，不多说了。看歌词就好了。

嗯。

---

作词：梁心颐(Lara)
作曲：张杰

歌词：

下雨天了 怎麽办 我好想你
我不敢打给你 我找不到原因
为什么失眠的声音 变得好熟悉
沉默的场景 做你的代替 陪我等雨停

期待让人越来越沉溺（疲惫）
谁和我一样 等不到他的谁
爱上你我总在学会 寂寞的滋味
一个人撑伞 一个人擦泪 一个人好累

怎样的雨 怎样的夜 怎样的我 能让你更想念
雨要多大 天要多黑 才能够有你的体贴
其实没有我你分不出哪些差别
结局还能多明显
别说你会难过 别说你想改变
被爱的人不用道歉

edit: eh the music seems a bit loud!! don't know if that's the case for everyone... the volume control is in the 'screen', quite small lah hope you can find it :P if not, sorry!

p.s: can change the fish bg or not? haiz. XD

Currently reading: The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks

It's a nice book leh! I'm hoping for a happy/touching ending! Halfway through, bedtime reading :D Couldn't stop!

Going to get my hair cut now! Wanted to go dancing but... never mind.

HTML? @_@

Man... Haven't touched HTML since ages! It's so bloody hard lah = =

Spent the afternoon to add the c-box, sidebar picture and the mainbar picture... Took several trials cause some pictures didn't work out as expected. Actually found a nice layout but somehow can't use it cause blogspot says got error blah blah... T_T

Ok, it's been quite a long time since the first entry! I actually kind of forgot that I have a blogspot too :P

Aiya... I don't know how to make the layout nicer already! I give up!! Hopefully I can keep this blog alive, haven't been very successful the last few times :P